The American Arbitration Association ® (AAA), with its long history and experience in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, provides services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court.

The AAA role in the dispute resolution process is to administer cases, from filing to closing. The AAA provides administrative services in the U.S., as well as abroad through its International Centre for Dispute Resolution ® (ICDR). The AAA's and ICDR's administrative services include assisting in the appointment of mediators and arbitrators, setting hearings, and providing users with information on dispute resolution options, including settlement through mediation. Ultimately, the AAA aims to move cases through arbitration or mediation in a fair and impartial manner until completion.

Additional AAA services include the design and development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems for corporations, unions, government agencies, law firms, and the courts. The Association also provides elections services as well as education, training, and publications for those seeking a broader or deeper understanding of alternative dispute resolution.

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) has created a customer focused alignment of its resources through five new divisions. The divisions include Commercial; Construction; International; Labor/Employment/Elections; and State Insurance ADR disciplines. They encompass expertise in specific caseloads, which will provide AAA customers with easier access to the information they need and with more customized service that addresses the specific nuances of their industries.

As the new alignment evolves, the AAA will continue to have 30 worldwide offices, including case management centers and maintain all of the traditional AAA benefits.

The International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR), the international division of the AAA, was established in 1996 to provide the same high-quality alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services available in the U.S. to individuals and organizations around the globe. Like the AAA, the ICDR administers cases impartially and efficiently while successfully tackling the additional challenges of resolving international conflicts.

The ICDR's expertise in the administration of international arbitrations is well recognized. The ICDR has established cooperative agreements with 62 arbitral institutions in 43 countries worldwide. These agreements enable arbitration cases to be filed and heard virtually anywhere in the world.

Once a case is filed utilizing the ICDR's international rules, case managers who are fluent in at least 13 languages and experienced in the complexities of overseas arbitration and mediation matters work to keep clients up-to-date on the progress of their case and assist in resolving these cases expeditiously. The ICDR maintains a worldwide panel of more than 400 independent arbitrators and mediators to hear and resolve cases.

The ICDR, which handles several hundred multinational cases each year, also maintains offices in Europe and Mexico City, Mexico.

Arbitration is a time-tested, cost-effective alternative to litigation. Arbitration is the submission of a dispute to one or more impartial persons for a final and binding decision, known as an "award." Awards are made in writing and are generally final and binding on the parties in the case. The AAA's arbitration services include access to its superior case management services, well-screened expert neutrals who undergo continuous training, and the AAA's Rules and Procedures that govern the various ADR processes.

AAA arbitrators possess years of industry-specific knowledge and experience. The AAA's Panel of Arbitrators includes more than 7,000 individuals located throughout the world. Their conduct is guided by the Association's Code of Ethics for Arbitrators in Commercial Disputes. Information about AAA arbitrators is available to parties who have already filed a case.

The AAA's Rules and Procedures cover arbitrations across a wide variety of industries and case types. These rules and procedures detail the steps in the resolution process and ensure that all parties to a case are treated fairly and equitably. The commercial, consumer, employment and labor rules, as well as the rules for state programs can be found in this section of the website.

The AAA provides world-class third-party case management that offers clients a variety of value-added services to ensure efficient and effective administration of arbitration and mediation cases. The dispute resolution process begins with the initial filing of a case, selecting the appropriate arbitrator or mediator, and proceeds on to the hearing, making a decision, and closing of a case.

In addition to skilled case managers assigned to assist with the procedural elements of a case, the AAA provides a variety of enhanced case administration services.

AAA Arbitration Roadmap helps guide clients from the case filing stage forward, advising them about the options available and how best to manage the arbitration process to save on cost and time.

AAA Enhanced Neutral Selection Process for Large Complex Cases (LCC) allows for a more customized approach to choosing a neutral for a case. Parties in LCCs get access to five tools that provide enhanced screening options based on client-selected criteria.

Case Management Teams improve on AAA's winning customer service. A team approach to case management, where a case manager serves as the primary point person but the ultimate responsibility for a case rests with an entire team, gives clients confidence that cases are covered at every level at all times.

Solutions Manager SM is a supplemental resource to case managers and the teams, serving to guide parties through the broad range of resolution alternatives. This helps clients to structure dispute resolution solutions most appropriate for the case at hand.

The American Arbitration Association was founded in 1926, following enactment of the Federal Arbitration Act, with the specific goal of helping to implement arbitration as an out-of-court solution to resolving disputes. This legal framework was passed by Congress and signed by President Calvin Coolidge.

The AAA's staff members and neutrals continue to live out the principles on which the Association was founded.

The AAA's official mission statement and vision statement are based on three core values: integrity, conflict management, and service.

The AAA has long held its mediators and arbitrators to strict codes of ethics and model standards of conduct to ensure fairness and impartiality in conflict management. To further ensure the AAA's integrity, however, the Association also developed Standards of Ethics and Business Conduct for its staff, as well as a general Statement of Ethical Principles to expand on its core values as an organization.

Finally, the AAA -- as a not-for-profit organization -- has a core dedication to service, and particularly education, in the field of alternative dispute resolution.

“The American Arbitration Association is dedicated to the development and widespread use of prompt, effective and economical methods of dispute resolution. As a not-for-profit organization, our mission is one of service and education.

We are committed to providing exceptional neutrals, proficient case management, dedicated personnel, advanced education and training, and innovative process knowledge to meet the conflict management and dispute resolution needs of the public now and in the future.”

“The American Arbitration Association will be the global leader in conflict management built on integrity, committed to innovation and embracing the highest standards of client service achievable in every undertaking”.

“The American Arbitration Association is the global leader in conflict management with core values of integrity and service. Our integrity demands impartial and fair treatment of all people with whom we come in contact, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, or other characterization. Our conflict management services put into practice our goal for the resolution of disputes between parties with different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds.

Because of the breadth of the AAA's work and the global reach of its services, we recognize the importance and contribution of a diverse work force, a diverse Roster of Neutrals, a diverse Board, and commit to respect and increase diversity in all our endeavors”.